"His incendiary and passionate singing came as close as anyone's to transferring the energy, explosiveness, and drive of Southern gospel into the secular pop world of soul," writes All Music Guide of Otis Redding. This three-disc set's groovy packaging reproduces both the A and B sides of Redding's singles (plus those with Carla Thomas) and restores the original mono mixes to their original heady impact. Songs include "Pain in My Heart," "Don't Leave Me This Way," "I Want to Thank You," "That's How Strong My Love Is," "Your One and Only Man," "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)," "Satisfaction," "Respect," "Try a Little Tenderness," "Knock on Wood," "Tell It Like It Is," "Shake," "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay," "Nobody's Fault But Mine," "When Something Is Wrong with My Baby," "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag [Live]," "Merry Christmas, Baby," "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher & Higher," and "My Girl."

"If Motown was Hitsville U.S.A., Stax-Volt was Soulsville U.S.A. From a renovated Memphis theater fronted by a record store (where demos could be consumer-tested), the label drew on a racially mixed group of performers, producers and writers to create some of the most distinctive rhythm and blues ever heard…. Inspired by both the Delta and the Ozarks, the 'Memphis Sound' had a far grittier edge than the 'Motown Sound,' reflecting a wider musical palette of blues, country and early rock. Among its distinctive features: a clean, spare sound; a loping but precise rhythm section; and those crackling Memphis Horns. The label also proved that soul music could cross over to white audiences and still remain true to its roots."—Washington Post